April 20, 2010 Good Report...

We spent a good portion of Monday at Mayo. There is always a senses of anticipation and anxiety before I meet with the physicians. The "unknown" is lurking.

However the news was good! There has been no change. We may have a slight med change in the next couple weeks but all-in-all it was a good report. I return in July for another follow up. There is a sense of relief and release in knowing.

Thank you Father, in the Name of Jesus. Pour out your healing Spirit on all who seek your presence.

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."    2 Peter 3.18

April 18, 2010

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood 

and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to 

Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has 

said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." 

But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those 

believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was 

not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

                                                              John 7:37-39

Tomorrow I return to Mayo for follow up on the Mantle Cell Lymphoma and the cardiovascular issues that have resulted from the Stem Cell Transplant. I am confident that the "Living Water", Jesus will be in all things pouring out wisdom, healing and hope. God's hand is upon all things at all times no matter what the season of ones life.

April 17, 2010

We had the joy of going to the local park and playing with Haakon on the "big toy" then off to supper. His words and phrases are becoming clear and longer. Our grandson is growing up too fast. I wonder if Mary, the mother of Jesus had such thoughts as Jesus grew "in wisdom and stature".  Surely she sensed the precious gift she held would grow up. The words of St Luke echo with life and love..."but Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart."

Not one my best quality of pictures but the "subjects are precious".  Easter 2010

April 15th, 2010 "Our Daily Bread" reading for Today

April 16, 2010

The Treasure And The Pots

Listen Now |  Play MP3 (Mobile)READ: 2 Corinthians 4:1-11

We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. —2 Corinthians 4:7

It has been said that the Roman Empire ran on olive oil. It was used in cooking, bathing, medicine, ceremonies, lamps, and cosmetics. For decades, olive oil from southern Spain was shipped to Rome in large clay jugs called amphorae. Those jugs, not worth sending back, were discarded in a growing heap of broken shards known as Monte Testaccio. The fragments of an estimated 25 million amphorae created that man-made hill, which stands today on the bank of the Tiber River in Rome. In the ancient world, the value of those pots was not their beauty but their contents.

Because of this, the first-century followers of Christ would have clearly understood Paul’s illustration of the life of Jesus in every believer. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Cor. 4:7).

Our bodies, like amphorae, are temporary, fragile, and expendable. In our modern world that highly values outward beauty, we would be wise to remember that our greatest treasure is the life of Jesus within us. By God’s grace and power, may we live so that others can see Christ in us.

We are just the clay pots. Jesus is the true treasure within us.  — David C. McCasland

Although my outward shell decays,
I’m inwardly renewed each day,
Because the life and power of Christ
Indwells this fragile jar of clay. —Sper

Christ is seen most clearly when we remain in the background.

April 13, 2010 "18 Months Old"

Hard to believe but 18 months ago today I received my stem cell transplant. They wished me a Happy Birthday early in the morning as we prepared to do the transplant. It has been quite a ride. I have been blessed by generous prayer by many. Thank you!

This morning one of my best friends and brother in Christ stopped by to share words of encouragement and challenge into my life. What a gift to have friends like Tim. I have had another ask me if it (the transplant experience and cancer) had changed me. The answer would be yes. I am changed. I have a "new normal".
My life is filled with joy at each new day. I am at peace where I am right now. I am waiting on Jesus to direct my path in a new season of life. My hope is full and my family is precious. I am able to spend time...valuable time with those who are the most important in my life. Change is difficult but necessary.
In the midst of transition comes faith challenging and strengthening moments. Seeking to be faithful and "Living for Jesus" in these moments have changed me. Being "born anew daily" is so "Lutheran". The Holy Spirit calls, gathers and enlightens in these moments to be changed; to be transformed in the "heart song of Jesus' Way". The Cross before us; the world behind us...choose to follow Jesus.

Today one of my favorite passages in God' Word came to mind...and a favorite prayer of many was shared with me by Tim...

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
   and all that is within me,
   bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
   and do not forget all his benefits-
who forgives all your iniquity,
   who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
   who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. --Reinhold Niebuhr

April 8, 2010

God's ways of communicating with us are awesome. I (by chance today) opened the devotional Streams in the Desert. God's ministering and leading hand stretched out and touched me through the words of the writer. I will share this with you and any who might be struggling with direction or darkness...

Streams in the Desert - Apr. 8

 

April 8

Don't Rush

"Who is among you that feareth Jehovah, that obeyeth the voice of his servant? He that walketh in darkness and hath no light, let him trust in the name of Jehovah and rely upon his God" (Isa. 50:10, RV).


What shall the believer do in times of darkness -- the darkness of perplexity and confusion, not of heart but of mind? Times of darkness come to the faithful and believing disciple who is walking obediently in the will of God; seasons when he does not know what to do, nor which way to turn. The sky is overcast with clouds. The clear light of Heaven does not shine upon his pathway. One feels as if he were groping his way in darkness.

Beloved, is this you? What shall the believer do in times of darkness? Listen! "Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and rely upon his God."
The first thing to do is do nothing. This is hard for poor human nature to do. In the West there is a saying that runs thus, "When you're rattled, don't rush"; in other words, "When you don't know what to do, don't do it." 

When you run into a spiritual fog bank, don't tear ahead; slow down the machinery of your life. If necessary, anchor your bark or let it swing at its moorings. We are to simply trust God. While we trust, God can work. Worry prevents Him from doing anything for us. If our minds are distracted and our hearts distressed; if the darkness that overshadows us strikes terror to us; if we run hither and yon in a vain effort to find some way of escape out of a dark place of trial, where Divine providence has put us, the Lord can do nothing for us.

The peace of God must quiet our minds and rest our hearts. We must put our hand in the hand of God like a little child, and let Him lead us out into the bright sunshine of His love. He knows the way out of the woods. Let us climb up into His arms, and trust Him to take us out by the shortest and surest road. --Dr. Pardington

Remember we are never without a pilot when we know not how to steer.

"Hold on, my heart, in thy believing--
The steadfast only wins the crown;
He who, when stormy winds are heaving,
Parts with its anchor, shall go down;
But he who Jesus holds through all,
Shall stand, though Heaven and earth should fall.


"Hold out! There comes an end to sorrow;
Hope from the dust shall conquering rise;
The storm foretells a summer's morrow;
The Cross points on to Paradise;
The Father reigneth! cease all doubt;
Hold on, my heart, hold on, hold out."

April 7, 2010

Life in the Spirit

Romans 8:1-6 ESV There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Living life together is a daily joy and challenge. "Fixing our eyes on Jesus" is the mindset for the Christ follower. Seeking to see Jesus in others is a source of peace and life. When we meet Jesus in another we are graced with His peace and life. "Be Jesus" to someone today. Extend mercy, comfort or a helping hand in the name of Jesus to bring life and peace to someone you know.

April 6, 2010

Family...takes on many aspects as our "family" has grown in wonderful ways over the years. One of our extended family needs prayer. Marilyn, Marc's mother has been hospitalized after surgery and stroke. She is recovering but needs prayer in these tough days. Roger, her husband, is by her side and needs our prayers too. We are thankful for the healing that has been taking place in the past few days. Thank you for your prayers, again.

Easter Sunday April 4, 2010

While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” Luke 24:4-7 ESV


As we worshiped as a family this Easter Morning I heard in a new way the question of why do we seek Jesus among the "dead things" in our lives. Why do we dwell in the past of death and loss when the Word Lives. The Word of Life has been spoken in the face of death...He is risen...Jesus is not dead; He is alive.

Tomorrow Lindsay, our daughter, would have been 33 years old. She had so much to live for and give yet her life was lived in a shorter time than others. Her living testimony to God's love and mercy will forever be before us. She faithfully and courageously lived out her trust in Jesus, the Risen One. Her hope was in the Word of Life of God, Jesus the Christ. With her death we are not to look for her among the dead but with the Living Christ Jesus. We see our Living Hope in the Cross and empty Tomb of Jesus. He lives; so shall those who have died trusting in Christ live.

April 1, 2010 Happy Birthday John and Colin!

Birthdays are great times. We are celebrating brother-in-law John and soon to be son-in-law Colin's birthdays today. God has blessed us with John and Colin. May we be a blessing to them too.
Spring is here!!!

A Psalm for giving thanks.

100:1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

March 30, 2010 Pray for Holly

Wind!  I think I'm back in North Dakota...uff da.

I have a prayer request for a young woman, Holly who has LAM. She has received a double lung transplant and like our Lindsay has retroperitoniel cysts that are causing bleeding and clots which can be fatal if not controlled. Holly has had ups and downs since her transplant but showing improvement.
Pray for healing and strength for her in these days of recovery. Pray for her parents Roxy and Bruce. As parents we sit, pray and wait beside our loved one with sometimes a heavy heart. Pray for hope and joy in this Easter season as they celebrate the Hope of the World, Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

March 28, 2010

Fifty years of ministry were celebrated today at Prince of Peace. Many memories and really funny stories were shared. It is good to laugh. I was again amazed at the number of young families and children filling the worship center this morning. Signs of "new life" amid the recollection of the past were permeating the church today. We were challenged to "fix our eyes on Jesus" each day as we follow in the Way. With a grateful heart to all who call Prince of Peace their home, Lois and I drove away knowing that Jesus is "the Way, the Truth and the Life" as we look forward to the next fifty years of ministry as a church family.

March 27, 2010

It's my sister's birthday today...Happy Birthday Bonita!!
I sat with my Father and Mother this morning and we talked to Bonita on the speaker phone of my cell phone. My Dad said "hello" to my sister which is very special these days. It was such a joy to watch Dad's face with a glimmer of a smile on it. He was so pleased with this moment with his family. God is good.

I had a special experience yesterday that I will never forget. As I pulled up to my son's home in my truck I could see my grandson, Haakon in the doorway window. I stepped out to hear a gleeful cry, "Grandpa! Grandpa!" Haakon's hands and arms were waving and his face was a glow with a huge smile. It was one of those moments I will never forget.

We have been given the privilege of crying, "Abba, Abba... Father" because of what Jesus did on the Cross for us to become children of God. When we cry out, "Jesus...Father God...Spirit of the Living God" it is sweet music to the ear of God. In joy or sorrow we come as children to be welcomed by the Father in the name of the Son, Jesus.

Romans 8: 14-17
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.


Abba Father hear our prayer and receive our praise, Amen

March 24, 2010

Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord,
exulting in his salvation.  Psalm 35:9


Friendship is one of those gifts one needs to continue to give thanks for and rejoice. My wife best friend from childhood has a birthday today. We give thanks for the love shared and the tough times lived through together. We have dear friends from California who we celebrated 39 years of friendship with recently.
Oh how God has blessed us. Friends in Christ and life!

March 17, 2010 Happy St Patrick's Day/Dancing Haakon

Check out my dancing Grandbaby at the MN State Hockey Tournament! He is such a joy and gift.
You can find him on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM2qSrU0U4Y
Love him to pieces!
Blessings my friends
Tedd

Lucy, Lindsay's dog, has been my constant companion the past two months. Whereever I go Lucy follows me. She sleeps close to me so if I move she will be ready to go. We have become "close" as they say.

During this time I have sought the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort.
Like Lucy, the Spirit of Jesus is always close. The presence of the Spirit of the Living God continues to seek us out.

Opening up to the Spirit of Jesus is simply saying "Come Lord Jesus, abide in me more each day."
Jesus desires to give us life and peace.
Ask. Seek. Knock. Find.

Tori and Lucy keeping an eye on the front door!

March 6, 2010

Adorable, precious, inquisitive and simply lovable...words to describe our grandson, Haakon. We had the joy of watching him this afternoon and evening. He is sleeping now and is a picture of pure joy. We are so fortunate and blessed to be able to care for him. He entertains us with his repetition of words and actions. He is like a little sponge. He is soaking up everything...the good and the questionable stuff too. He is so good it makes one wish time would stand still for awhile so we might be able to enjoy him longer at this age.

He is a gift from God!

Thank you, Father!

March 5, 2010

For anyone of us who might be struggling with life's challenges...words of hope and life
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

63:1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.

Take time to read   Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 This was a part of my devotions this morning from Robert H. Schuller's writings... it challenged me "to grow where I am planted." Risky Business? Or A Dream of Possibility?

March 04, 2010

Robert H. Schuller

"The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." ˆ Exodus 15:2a I will never fully know to what extent being born an Iowa farm boy made me the possibility thinker I am today. I don't think anything is more exciting than springtime on a farm. I remember many years when Dad needed all the grain of last year's crop to feed the cattle and livestock. But there was one little corner of our corn bin where there was grain, and Dad would never touch it. I would say to him, "But, Dad, you still have some grain in there." And he would tell me, "No, Bob, that is next year's seed corn, and I cannot use it for feed." So he saved it. Then the spring came. How desperately he needed every kernel to feed the livestock. But what did he do? He buried it in the ground. Now suppose my father had studied the odds. Suppose he had said, "Let's see, I've got a kernel of corn. If I feed it to the cattle, I know it will be productive. I can be sure of it. There is no risk. On the other hand, I can plant that kernel of corn in the ground. That's infinitely more risky. Weeds could choke it, birds could eat it, it could rot, or the hail and winds could destroy it just as it starts to grow. It could be worthless. It's risky to put the kernel of corn in the ground. But if I do, it just might multiply a hundredfold!" Don't wait because something is risky. Break loose and begin before it's possible. Only then will your dream really become a possibility! Prayer: O Lord, you are my strength, my song, my salvation. Therefore, I will risk doing what I've never dared doing before.  * * *  Where in your life do you need to risk more? In a relationship? In a work venture? In tithing? In giving your life more fully to God? Now think about this: "Great people are common people who dare to make uncommon commitments to God."

March 1, 2010

On Sunday little Sophia was baptized. I have had the privilege to baptized hundreds of babies and adults. This time I simply watched. Yet the words "Sophia, child of God you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the sign of the Cross forever..." are some of the most beautiful words spoken and written. They tell me "Whose I am and who I am."

I watched her Mom and Dad as they looked into Sophia's face as the water touched her head. Such love in those eyes of the parents. Sophia came to the "waters" with her pacifier in her mouth...Love it! She didn't have to do anything but receive the "Gift of New Life" that she will be raised in and called upon to affirm and embrace in the years ahead.

Someday Sophia will look into the eyes of her parents and say, "I believe; I know that Jesus is the Forgiver of my sins and the Leader of my life." The gift of faith is passed on by the Holy Spirit in such a profound yet simple and natural way. Thanks Jesus for caring so much for all that you would die and rise again for the forgiveness of sin...so too we go with you through the "waters of dying and rising" each day of our lives in You; sealed and marked.